7/10

London’s trainboy, the solo venture of Dave Macleod, stakes an intimate claim in the indie landscape with his latest EP 'Stay Inside'. Following a prolific run of releases already this year, this six-track collection captures a space somewhere between wistful nostalgia and contemporary lo-fi invention, offering us a concise, immersive journey through reflective melodies and understated emotionality.

From the opening chord of its shimmering title-track, the EP envelops us in a gentle, guitar-driven haze. Macleod’s warm yet wistful vocals sit front and centre, inviting introspection without ever feeling self-indulgent. His palette recalls the cozy, jangly textures of Teenage Fanclub and the Velvet Underground’s understated melancholy, while occasional flourishes nod toward the sharpness of DIIV and the playful grooves of Wet Leg.

Lyrically, the EP is a study in introspection. The artist examines the nuances of daily life and the quiet tensions of modern existence, framing them in relatable, almost conversational phrases.

What distinguishes 'Stay Inside' is its ability to evoke both comfort and curiosity. While rooted firmly in indie tradition, trainboy’s lo-fi sensibilities and careful layering create a contemporary resonance that feels entirely personal. Recorded in Kentish Town, the EP feels at once local and universal, transporting us into the heart of Macleod’s world.

'Stay Inside' marks trainboy as a quiet but undeniable force in the indie scene, delivering a project that fuses melancholy, melody, and modernity into a compact, compelling statement.